Bedford train crash latest: Nine in critical condition as King Charles ‘greatly saddened’ by deadly collision

Bedford train crash latest: Nine in critical condition as King Charles ‘greatly saddened’ by deadly collision East Midlands Railway and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are looking into the cause of the Bedford crash - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Nine people are in a critical condition following a rail crash near Bedford on Friday evening in which the driver died and 89 people were injured. King Charles has said he is “greatly saddened” by the incident and is being kept regularly updated on developments. He said “his thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured or affected by such a tragic incident”, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson added. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch and East Midlands Railway (EMR) are investigating the crash, after one train collided into the back of another on the same line shortly after 5pm. Out of 33 people taken to hospital, 28 remain on Saturday, with nine in a critical condition. Passenger Pete Knapp, 40, recalled: “There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused.” Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as “hugely concerning” and said he is “grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident”. Were you impacted by the train crash in Bedford? Email holly.bancroft@independent.co.uk with your story. Police Federation of England and Wales: 'Thoughts remain with the victims' The Police Federation of England and Wales has issued a statement on the Bedford train crash. "Our thoughts remain with the victims involved in the Bedford train collision," the federation said. "We are also thinking of our BTP (British Transport Police) and Bedfordshire Police colleagues and all emergency workers at this difficult time." East Midlands rail route remains closed Network Rail said on Saturday that part of the East Midlands route remained closed as the emergency response continued and teams assessed damage to the trains and infrastructure. The company said it would provide updates when it had a clearer understanding of the recovery work required and when services can safely reopen, adding that passengers should check with their train operator for the latest travel advice. Archbishop of Canterbury says her prayers are for those impacted Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally said her prayers were with the family of the driver who was killed and all those injured. Writing on X, she added: “May God comfort and protect them, and equip all those who are caring for them in the aftermath of this tragic incident.” Bedford train crash: Everything we know about the collision that killed a driver and injured 89 A train crash in Bedfordshire has left one dead and dozens more injured after two services collided during rush hour. The fatal incident took place on Friday when the 4:40pm departure from Corby collided into the back of the 3:50pm from Nottingham. Both services were headed to London St Pancras. As of Saturday lunchtime, 28 remain in hospital with nine in a critical condition, British Transport Police chief constable Lucy D’Orsi said. King Charles and Sir Keir Starmer have offered their condolences after a train driver was killed, with reports on Saturday that nine more people are in critical condition. Read everything we know about the crash: All we know about the deadly Bedford train crash as cause under investigation Witness says most people in his carriage could not stand or move their neck after crash A passenger on one of the trains that collided said he thought 90 per cent of people on his carriage had serious injuries, could not stand or move their neck. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Brett Byatt said: “The people in first class ended up with stomach and rib injuries, because they went into the tables they have in first class, and EMR (East Midlands Railway) trains, the way that they’re structured with seats, was probably the worst way it could have been structured for a train crash, in the sense that there’s nothing… because they’re, they face each other in the three by three and the two by three, and the seat… when people flew into one another, the seats that they were on, like, broke backwards into the people behind them.” The teacher, who lives in Bedford and was unharmed in the crash, added: “I’ve said before that I’d probably say 90 per cent of the people on my carriage had injuries, I’d probably say from three to four of us were uninjured in a full carriage. “Everyone else had either a serious wound that was bleeding profusely, or a situation where they couldn’t stand, or couldn’t move their neck, or I saw a woman’s snapped leg.” Watch: Police confirm nine in critical condition after train crash First responders worked 'under very challenging circumstances' - chief nurse We earlier heard from Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive professor Nicola Ranger, who was the latest to pay her respects to those impacted by the fatal Bedford train crash. “Our thoughts and wishes are with all of those affected by this tragic incident, particularly with the family, friends and colleagues of the driver who lost his life,” she said. “We also send our thanks to the first responders who acted so quickly, including the nursing staff, some of whom came in whilst off duty to care for the injured. “They no doubt worked under very challenging circumstances to care for all those affected.” 'Complex recovery operation' ahead, says Network Rail chief There will be a “complex recovery operation” following the train crash near Bedford, Ellie Burrows, regional managing director of Network Rail East, told a press conference earlier. “This will be a complex recovery operation,” she said on Saturday afternoon. “We have significant railway resources deployed on the ground and teams from across the industry are working closely together to support the response, recover the railway safely and minimise disruption wherever possible. The focus, she said, is on “supporting those affected and working with the relevant authorities as they investigate what happened”. Ms Burrows advised people to check National Rail Enquiries and operator websites for the latest travel information. Watch: Bedford train crash passenger captures collision aftermath on video Police and rail authorities remain on the scene Police and network rail crews remain at the scene of the fatal train crash near Bedford. Reporters have been permitted to enter a field next to the railway line to get a closer view of the scene. The front of the train from Corby has been crushed where it collided with the rear of the train from Nottingham. On the rear train, which has Luton Airport Express livery, there is visible damage to the rear of the carriages which have been shunted into ones in front. Most of the carriage doors are open on both trains. There is a gap in the hedges where crews are accessing the tracks. 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